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Women to get protection from harassment
By Wang Ying (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-03-05 02:10
Sexual harassment of woman is expected to become a criminal offence for the
first time in China by the end of the year.
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| Lei Man, the prosecutor of Beijing's first sexual harassment case,
holds a press conference at home, in June
of 2003. [newsphoto/file] | Legal
experts said yesterday the draft amendment of the Law on the Protection of
Rights and Interests of Women will introduce definitions of sexual harassment
and ultimately lead to the arrest and punishment offenders.
"The proposed law change is expected to be discussed later this year by the
Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's top
legislature," said Yang Dawen, a law professor with the Renmin University of
China.
The draft amendment has been submitted to the State Council for a final check
before being presented to the Standing Committee.
"The draft offers principle definitions and punishments for sexual
harassment, which aims to provide a basic legal foundation for future detailed
laws and regulations," added Yang, who is a member of an expert panel overseeing
the draft amendment.
"The draft also highlighted employers' responsibility in preventing workplace
sexual harassment," Yang said.
Calls for legislation to clarify definitions and punishment for sexual
harassment have long been heard.
A recent survey carried out by the Beijing-based China Times newspaper found
a staggering 86 per cent of women respondents in China's capital city have been
the victims of sexual harassment.
Women are most at risk when travelling on public transport but the workplace,
leisure venues and hospitals also leave them vulnerable.
The survey found body and verbal harassment are the most common but unwanted
sleazy mobile phone short messages and emails are also a growing menance.
Most women victims remain silent during an incident and after for fear of
losing face.
An increasing number of sexual harassment cases have been heard in courts
across the country in recent years.
However, such cases are always complex, involving a mixture of claims and
counterclaims. Judges and legal experts are left confused as no precise legal
framework for sexual harassment is in place.
(China Daily 03/05/2005 page1)
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